An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and in situ SFM study of Tiin sulphuric acid

Anodic oxidation of titanium in sulphuric acid has been studied. Morphologi cal changes of the electrode were imaged in situ with scanning force micros copy in the 1-5 mum range. The surface roughness decreases with increasing potential. Mass changes due to dissolution of Ti and the subsequent growth of the passive film were recorded by using an electrochemical quartz crysta l microbalance (EQCM). These measurements represent the first use of the EQ CM with glued foil electrodes to study the dissolution of an active metal a nd the growth of thin passive films. The results indicate a complex oxide f ormation mechanism. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.